Aim: There has been a search for bioactive, biocompatible material for quite some time now which can be utilized for various endodontic procedures for better palliative care of teeth. These materials could reduce the chances of extraction of teeth. Here we will discuss the journey of MTA (mineral trioxide aggregate) as a unique, bio-active material from inception till now in pediatric dental practice. Materials and Methods: Web-based databases such as Scopus, Web of Science, and PubMed were explored from January 2012 till June 2022. Thus found types of writeups were review articles. This review article will give an insight into MTA—its evolution and use in pediatric dentistry. The following search terms were used: MTA (all fields, MeSH terms), AND pediatric dentistry (all fields) (MesH terms, all fields) AND advances (all fields) OR “Mineral” and “Trioxide” and “Aggregate” (all fields) OR pediatric and “Dentistry” (all fields) or “Advances.” An electronic literature search in PubMed database using the free-text terms “MTA”, and “Pediatric Dentistry” showed 253 articles from 2012 to 2022, of which 30 were review articles and systematic reviews. Results: The initial search retrieved 531 articles. After a full-text review of all the articles, only 12 were included. The original MTA has some known disadvantages, such as prolonged setting time, being expensive, and can lead to discoloration of tooth later in time. Owing to the disadvantages of the material, researchers have been searching materials which can show improved physiological, chemomechanical, and better biologic characteristics. Conclusion: MTA has come a long way as a bioceramic, bioactive material with improved physical and chemical properties. The introduction of newer fast-setting MTA and pre-mixed MTA have shown excellent handling properties. MTA is now getting more attention in pediatric dentistry as a bioactive agent with the scope for many studies and clinical trials.

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Aim: To describe the use and applications of activated charcoal (AC) in the manufacture of toothpastes and mouthwashes. Materials and Methods: This narrative review conducted a search for information in the PubMed and Scopus databases. There was no restriction on language, year, or country. We use the following search strategy (“Activated Charcoal” OR “Charcoal Activated” OR “Activated Carbon*”) AND TITLE-ABS-KEY (“Dentifrices” OR “Dentifrice” OR “Dental Polishes” OR “Polishes Dental” OR “Toothpastes” OR “Toothpaste” OR “Mouthwashes” OR “Mouth Rinse” OR “Mouth Rinses” OR “Rinse Mouth” OR “Rinses Mouth” OR “Mouth Bath” OR “Bath Mouth” OR “Baths Mouth” OR “Mouth Baths” OR “Mouth Wash” OR “Wash Mouth”). Results: The literature has so far shown that there are certain changes in the morphology of the enamel surface after tooth brushing with AC. AC is a highly porous compound that can exchange ions through nanopores, adhere to the enamel, and remove stains because it can absorb pigments from the tooth surface. Conclusion: Toothpastes or mouthwashes with AC have a potential whitening effect that affects the color and the surface roughness of the teeth.

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Aim: Besides chewable tobacco and alcohol consumption, development of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) has also been linked to human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, particularly HPV16. A significant number of publications have shed light on the etiopathogenesis, molecular mechanism, and prognosis of HPV-associated HNSCC. The current bibliographic review aimed to identify and analyze the top 100 most cited articles on HPV-associated HNSCC, to guide future researchers by highlighting the most cited previous publications. Materials and Methods: A comprehensive search of bibliographic databases was performed by two independent reviewers, using medical sub-heading terms like “HPV-induced HNSCC” in several combinations. All types of published studies were included in this bibliographic analysis. The top-100 most cited articles were then identified, tabulated, and analyzed to extract the various bibliometric details. Results: The total number of citation was 19,570 (range from 11 to 1,773). The article with highest number of citation (1,773) was published in 2008 in the “Journal of Clinical Oncology.” Maximum publications originated from the United States of America. Conclusion: This article identifies the top-100 most influential articles on HPV-induced HNSCC and recognizes the evolution of knowledge through leading researchers as they guide today’s clinical decision making and future research prospects.

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Aim: Dental implants have been shown to be a safe alternative for the replacement of missing teeth since they present few complications. These are related, among other elements, to the type of connection with which the abutments and attachments are joined to the implant. For this reason, in this study we performed an overview of systematic reviews with FRISBEE methodology on the use of internal connections compared to external connections of dental implants for the treatment of single, partial, or total rehabilitation. Materials and Methods: We performed a systematic search in the Epistemonikos database. We extracted data from the included systematic reviews, reanalyzed data of primary studies, and generated a summary of findings table. We used RevMan 5.3 and GRADEpro for data analysis and data presentation. Eleven systematic reviews were included after full-text screening, which had thirty-three clinical trials. Results: The outcomes were analyzed: mechanical complication (RR: 0.64), biological complications (RR: 1.01), survival (RR: 0.99), and mean marginal bone loss (MD: 0.3 mm lower). Conclusion: The use of internal connections in dental implants could lead to less marginal bone loss and fewer mechanical complications than implants with external connections, however, the confidence in the effect is limited due to a low certainty of evidence for both outcomes. Additionally, results show that different implant connections do not have an impact on dental implant survival and biological complication rates, with a moderate and low certainty of evidence, respectively.

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Aim: To review the clinical outcomes and evidence-based findings regarding biomimetic material properties and its use in surgical endodontics. Materials and Methods: A bibliographic search was carried out in MEDLINE-PubMed/Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar databases using the following keywords: biomimetic material OR periapical regeneration OR biomaterial OR regenerative endodontics OR periapical regeneration. The inclusion criteria included clinical studies in vivo (humans) till December 2021 with a minimum of 3-month follow-up. Both electronic and manual searches were performed to obtain the relevant articles. Results: The search yielded 204 references. After reading the titles and abstracts, 181 articles were eliminated as they were not complying with inclusion and exclusion criteria. Twenty-three articles were selected for full-text reading. The studies that used biomimetic materials in human clinical trials as a bone graft (8 articles) or barrier membrane (7 articles) or both combined (8 articles) were selected for full-text reading. Conclusion: Biomimetic materials attempt to focus on rebuilding the natural biological systems using artificial or synthetic material while mimicking organic tissues. Thus, this paper describes the core principles of biomimetics and elucidates the various biomaterials used clinically in surgical endodontics for regeneration.

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Aim: TheraCal PT is a newer dual-cured resin-modified calcium silicate material with comparable biological properties to Biodentine. However, its bond strength to the dentin substrate is not known, especially for its use in primary teeth. Hence, the current study aimed to evaluate and compare the shear bond strength of two pulp capping materials, Biodentine and TheraCal PT in primary molars. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 28 non-carious human primary molars, which were nearing exfoliation, retained, or for orthodontic purposes, were extracted and collected. Using simple random sampling, they were randomly allocated into two groups with n = 14 in each group. Following occlusal flattening, cylindrical plastic tubes were stabilized and filled with TheraCal PT in group A and Biodentine in group B. All samples were incubated, subjected to universal testing machine, and analyzed under stereomicroscope for assessing the modes of failure. The statistical methods used were Independent t test, frequency, percentage (%), and Chi-square for intergroup comparison. The level of significance was kept at 0.05. Results: Significant differences in modes of failure were observed between TheraCal PT and Biodentine groups with P = 0.041. The modes of failure observed were mostly adhesive in group A compared with group B. The mean values of shear bond strength observed for groups A and B were 5.1 ± 3.5 and 3.1 ± 1.2 MPa, respectively. Conclusion: The shear bond strength observed for TheraCal PT was found to be comparable to that of Biodentine in primary molars.

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Aim: To assess the canal transportation and centering ability of different retreatment rotary files with the help of cone beam computed tomography (CBCT). Materials and Methods: Forty single-rooted human mandibular premolars with mean curvature of less than 20° apically were selected. Root canal preparation was done until size F2 (ProTaper Universal, Dentsply Sirona, Swiss), obturated using AH Plus resin-based sealer, and randomly divided into two groups. Hyflex Remover files and Solite RS3 retreatment files (Solite Dental, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India) were used to remove root canal fillings, and CBCT scan was done to analyze the canal centering and transportation ratio. The data obtained were tabulated and evaluated using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software program, version 23.0 (IBM, Chicago, Illinois). Results: Between the two groups, a statistically significant difference was seen in the mesiodistal and buccolingual direction in relation to canal centering ability (P < 0.05, significant). Moreover, no significant difference was evident for canal transportation. Conclusion: It was noticed that both retreatment systems produced some deviation from the root canal curvature in mandibular premolars with regard to canal transportation capabilities. However, SoliteRS3 heat-treated retreatment group had clinically acceptable canal centering ratio values after the root canal filling material has been removed.

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Aim: The present study investigated the efficacy of Camellia sinensis regarding its antifungal activity toward Candida albicans and compared the various forms such as Japanese green tea, Chinese Oolong tea, Sabha black tea, and Sri Lanka black tea in relation to their antifungal property toward C. albicans. Materials and Methods: In this in vitro experimental study, the C. albicans were grown and maintained in their respective agar. Four different concentrations of 500 mg/mL and 250 mg/mL aqueous solution; 250 mg/mL ethanolic solution and 250 mg/mL methanolic solutions were prepared from four different forms of C. sinensis such as Japanese green tea, Oolong Chinese tea, Sabah black tea, and Sri Lanka black tea. The Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method determined the activity of tea. The standard drug of Nystatin 100 IU (international units) was used as the positive control. After an incubation period of 48 h at 37ºC, the zone of inhibition was measured in millimeters. Results: Japanese green tea at its aqueous concentrations of 500 mg/mL and 250 mg/mL exhibited significantly higher mean zone of inhibition of 20.63 mm and 20.92 mm, respectively against C. albicans at P < 0.001. However, a mean zone of inhibition of 21.26 mm was shown by positive control Nystatin. Conclusion: The aqueous extract of Japanese green tea showed higher antifungal activity against C. albicans in comparison to black teas.

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Aim: Self-ligating brackets have gained popularity in the field of orthodontics over the last decade. One of the proposed advantages of the self-ligating method is the overall cleanliness of the appliance as there will be less plaque accumulation due to the absence of elastomeric rings. This review aimed to look into the effect of this system on overall oral health. Materials and Methods: Data have been collected regarding the comparison of the self-ligating bracket system to conventional techniques in relation to root resorption, dental caries, and periodontal impact. Data were obtained by an electronic search through databases of PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar. The initial search retrieved 35 articles. After a full-text review of all the articles, only 14 were included. Results: This review article contributes to the knowledge of the effect of this system on oral tissues and its advantages and disadvantages over conventional bracket systems. In regard to root resorption, the time duration of the treatment is a more important factor than the type of bracket system used. In regard to dental caries, evidence suggests a self-ligating bracket system shows less accumulation of Streptococcus mutans when compared to a conventional bracket system. Conclusion: In the present review, the findings indicated that in relation to periodontal health self-ligating brackets are not superior to conventional brackets.

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Aim: Temporary anchorage devices (TADs) have become the routine treatment tools for orthodontic treatment. The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge about TADs among the undergraduate students of Saudi Arabia. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional web-based questionnaire was sent to 301 undergraduate dental students across different dental colleges in Saudi Arabia from third year to internship. This prevalidated 21-item questionnaire was sent through Google Form to different dental student groups. The questionnaire included details related to demography, knowledge related to TADs, and the role of continuing dental education in building the knowledge related to TADs. Descriptive statistical analysis and the chi-square test were used to evaluate the difference in the response to the questions among the different years of undergraduate students. Results: Approximately 88% of the interns could recognize that TADs are the Implants for skeletal anchorage and 57.8% defined TADs as “Implants for skeletal anchoring. Approximately 51.8% of the respondents felt that their knowledge was obtained from their undergraduate orthodontic studies. Sixty-one percent of the respondents stated their inability to diagnose cases that would benefit from orthodontic TADs. Most of the dental students from different years preferred the introduction of the TADs in the fifth-year curriculum. There existed a significant difference between the responses given by different-year dental students (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Internship students had comparatively better knowledge regarding TADs than the undergraduate students. This warrants the need to incorporate the new techniques and treatment modalities in the undergraduate orthodontic curriculum.

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Aim: Masticatory and cognitive function in independent elderly people were traced for 4 years and the changes in both functions were analyzed. Materials and Methods: The study type is an observational study for 4 years. Subjects of 65 and above were selected by simple random sampling method and measured cognitive function (MMSE), oral status, and masticatory test at the first year, after 2 years, and after 4 years. The subjects were divided into three groups: subjects with maintained cognitive function for 4 years (n = 12), subjects with declined cognitive function on the time course (n = 15), and subjects with impaired cognitive function for 4 years (n = 4). The data of oral condition in each group were analyzed by Kruskal–Wallis test and Dunn–Bonferronias post hoc test (age, MMSE, masticatory ability). Statistical significance was defined at P < 0.05. Results: Remarkable change of oral status was not detected. With cutoff value as 100 mg/dL, we analyzed the combined masticatory and cognitive function changes. The subjects who had declined cognitive and maintained masticatory function were 22.6% and the subjects who had declined masticatory and maintained cognitive function were 6.5%. The rest of those independent elderly people shows various patterns. Conclusion: It was observed that the subjects who had declined cognitive and maintained masticatory function were much more than the subjects who had declined masticatory and maintained cognitive function.

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Aim: To determine the anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial activity of Glycyrrhiza glabra incorporated in a soft-liner that can be used as denture relining material. Materials and Methods: 3 g of the powdered G. glabra leaves were added to 100 mL of deionized water and filtered after boiling at 100°C for 10 min and the filtrate was boiled until it was reduced to 10 mL. The soft-liner liquid and G. glabra were then blended in proportions of 5 and 10 v/v%, and the mixtures were stirred for 24 h in a closed container. Sample preparation was done for surface roughness, contact angle, and antimicrobial activity: direct Glycyrrhiza solution was taken as a sample for an anti-inflammatory test. A well-diffusion method was performed to determine the antimicrobial effect. Anti-inflammatory activity was determined by inhibition of albumin denaturation assay, wettability through contact angle using a Telescopic Goniometer, surface roughness using a profilometer, and tensile bond strength by using UTM (Instron, ElectroPuls, E3000). All of the groups were compared by doing a one-way analysis of variance, an independent t test was used for comparing two experimental groups. Results: Statistically significant antibacterial property was noted (P <0.05). The maximum concentration of G. glabra’s anti-inflammatory activity was found to be 81% without altering its physical or mechanical properties (P > 0.05). Conclusion: Glycyrrhiza glabra incorporated soft-liner will be a better alternative of conventional softener.

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Aim: Enamel demineralization around orthodontic brackets due to the formation of cariogenic biofilms can be prevented by modifying the adhesive/primers with certain antimicrobials. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antimicrobial, cytotoxic, and mechanical properties of a novel chitosan-modified (CH) orthodontic primer and compare it with a control primer. Materials and Methods: This in-vitro study involved two groups (Group A: CH-modified primer and Group B: control primer). Antibacterial properties against Streptococcus mutans were evaluated using the agar well-diffusion technique to measure the zone of inhibition, and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was evaluated using the two-fold diffusion technique. 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) fibroblast assay was done to evaluate the cytotoxicity. After bonding brackets on extracted natural teeth the shear bond strength (SBS), contact angle (CA), and adhesive remnant index (ARI) were evaluated for both groups. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS software and the independent t-test and Mann–Whitney test were performed. Results: The CH primer when compared to the control primer had higher zone of inhibition values and lower MIC value. MTT fibroblast assay showed that the cell viability percent shown by the CH primer was more in comparison to the control primer. Statistically nonsignificant differences were found between the two primers for SBS (P > 0.05), CA (P > 0.05), and ARI (P > 0.05). Conclusion: The CH primer showed higher antibacterial activity against S. mutans at a lower inhibitory concentration, with less cytotoxicity with no effect on the SBS, CA, and ARI scores.

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Aim: Uncontrolled bone resorption after tooth extraction can cause a loss in alveolar bone dimension, which has an impact on alveolar bone preservation during dental implant treatment. Alpha-mangostin contained in mangosteen peel extract can reduce alveolar bone resorption while speeding up the bone formation process. This study determined whether the administration of α-mangostin decreases Interleukin-6 (IL-6) and increases Bone Sialoprotein (BSP) in the inflammatory process. Materials and Methods: The following four groups were subjected to an in-vitro assay to compare variations in the expression of inflammatory markers IL-6 and osteogenic markers BSP in LPS-induced cell line 7F2 cells before being administered α-mangostin. The bone sialoprotein (BSP), which is used as the osteogenesis marker of the effects of α-mangostin, is examined. Lipopolysaccharides (LPS) are employed in cell line 7F2 cultures of osteoblast cells to produce inflammatory effects. Real-time PCR was used to monitor the expression of genes related to inflammation and osteogenesis. Result: The Real-time PCR results showed that LPS can increase the expression of IL-6 by (15.12 ± 2.70), the administration of α-mangostin and LPS + α-mangostin can decrease the expression of IL-6 by (0.12 ± 0.04) and (0.25 ± 0.01). BSP expression increased in the provision of LPS and LPS + α-mangostin by (1.44 ± 0.33) and (3.13 ± 1.36), while in the administration of α-mangostin decreased by (0.96 ± 0.24). Conclusion: Alpha-mangostin has a potential effect to decrease the expression of the IL-6 gene and increase the expression of the BSP gene.

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